They say he’s old and gnarly…

The Naval Academy adopted the goat as its mascot after the USS New York anchored off Annapolis. Ship’s sailors brought their mascot – a goat named El Cid – ashore with them to observe the Army-Navy game in 1893.

The midshipmen won that game, and after a few more wins attributed to El Cid’s presence, the goat’s position was cemented. He was named “Bill” a few years later and to this day has a team of caretakers (and an abundance of blankets).

Other aspects of the uniforms are steeped in naval heritage and tradition.

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The uniforms celebrate Naval heritage with an old sailor’s mantra: “Don’t give up the ship”

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Under Armour

“Don’t give up the ship” were the last words of Navy Captain James Lawrence, who died from a gunshot wound sustained during battle in the War of 1812.

Lawrence’s crew, well, they gave up the ship: they surrendered to the British after a mere 15 minutes.

Regardless, Lawrence is remembered as a hero, and his words became an unofficial battle cry of the US Navy. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, another hero from that war, had the motto stitched into his battle flag, which still holds a place of honor to this day in the Naval Academy’s Memorial Hall.

Six lines on players’ pants represent the Navy’s first six frigates.

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The Navy often pays homage to its first frigates, represented sometimes by stars or other symbols.

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Under Armour

The Naval Academy uniform always features a symbol representing the US Marine Corps.

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This year, the the Corps’ eagle, globe and anchor appears on the players’ pants.

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Under Armour

In the past, the eagle, globe and anchor has appeared on helmets and sleeves, and uniforms sometimes feature a “blood stripe” as a nod to the Corps’ dress uniforms.

Naval Academy midshipmen are directly commissioned into the Navy and Marine Corps at graduation. Of the class of 1,000, a handful typically seek commissions in the other services.

On December 8, Navy will try to upset Army’s 2-year winning streak.

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The Navy held a 14-game streak until 2015.

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Under Armour

Historically, Annapolis still has the edge, having won 60 out of 118 games.